Belvedere Sq vs Pimlico - Need your input please (Baltimore: apartment, crime)

[nikkibailey2009]

Hi - I recently relocated to Baltimore with 3 young children. I've seen 2 great single family homes that I love: One is located on Belvedere Ave and the other in Mt Washington, right across from Pimlico Racecourse (you can actually watch the races from the porch). My question is - which is safer, considering that I have 3 young ones? I'm not really worried about the schools as the kids are already enrolled in private schools. Thanks for your help!

[MrRational]

Originally Posted by nikkibailey2009

One is located on Belvedere Ave

at what cross street?

the other in Mt Washington, right across from Pimlico Racecourse

does that mean the OTHER side of Northern parkway?

and again... at what cross street?

[nikkibailey2009]

E Belvedere Ave and Orkney

Rusk Ave right off Northern Parkway

Thanks!

[Tinawina]

I went apartment hunting a few weeks ago and saw a place right in that little area of Mt Washington near the racetrack. I was accompanied by a friend who is a lifelong Baltimore resident.

She told me the area was fine but the other side of the racetrack is just a few blocks away and is to be avoided at all costs. It seemed like a nice quiet family area to me although I would invest in a good alarm system and/or a big dog since it is close to an iffy area.

She also said the area gets nuts during the Preakness LOL

I'm interested in what other Baltimore people have to say! I want to learn the area too!

[barante]

I live in Cheswolde, across Cross Country Boulevard, from your Mount Washington location. If you move there and stay for a few years, you'll probably see the race track redeveloped. My guess is that Sinai Hospital will take the land closest to it and the rest will be upscale housing.
As to Belvedere Avenue, I have never been inside any of those houses. They seem small, but you know what you want. That area has a bright future in my book now that Buzz Cusak took over The Senator theater, which will expand and spur further retail improvements.

[KLynch10]

Are you predicting a downtown racetrack?

[Tallybalt]

To buy or rent?

Between the two locations the Belvedere/Orkney intersection probably trumps it for me. It's a pleasant little neighborhood with Belvedere Square within easy walking distance.

The Northern Parkway location is a bit exposed and it's technically in Mount Washington Heights and very much on the periphery of the neighborhood. It's also too close to Pimlico/Park Heights for comfort. The neighborhood on the opposite side of Pimlico is plagued with crime and drugs. The redevelopment of Pimlico tracks is no sure thing nor is it likely to become "upscale" housing.

But you should walk around either locations and meet as many residents as you can and go by your instincts and comfort factor.

[nikkibailey2009]

Thanks to everyone for the input. I have decided to go with the property at Belvedere Sq. Between the race track and DHR being so close to the Pimlico/Mt Washington property, there were too many negatives, especially considering my 3 young ones. The Pimlico house is a little larger, but is valued lower. I think long term the better investment is in the Belvedere house!

[Tinawina]

Originally Posted by nikkibailey2009

Thanks to everyone for the input. I have decided to go with the property at Belvedere Sq. Between the race track and DHR being so close to the Pimlico/Mt Washington property, there were too many negatives, especially considering my 3 young ones. The Pimlico house is a little larger, but is valued lower. I think long term the better investment is in the Belvedere house!

Thanks for letting us know what you decided!

And if you don't mind me asking, what is DHR?

[Woodlands]

Originally Posted by nikkibailey2009

Thanks to everyone for the input. I have decided to go with the property at Belvedere Sq. Between the race track and DHR being so close to the Pimlico/Mt Washington property, there were too many negatives, especially considering my 3 young ones. The Pimlico house is a little larger, but is valued lower. I think long term the better investment is in the Belvedere house!

Yeah Rusk Ave is clearly Mt. Washington.. Pimlico is technically everything south of Northern Parkway between Park Heights Ave and Belverdere Ave.. not to be confused with the Belverdere Square.



Klynch

I think that should move the track downtown and redevelop the track They could leave up a portion of the grandstand for a second "pier 1"type concert venue and the rest should be come shops and housing.. That is the ONLY way that Pimlico/Park Heights has a chance of being improved. The areas near Sinai in the neighborhood of Levindale and Cylburn will likely stabalize and be improved.. but the closer you get to Pimlico Road and the further south you go in it it becomes more challenging.